Shaded Hot Spring, Massage and Mex Grill in Puerto Vallarta

The best part of this day is the change of scene. You leave Puerto Vallarta’s hotel strip, pass farms and small towns, soak in Nuevo Ixtlan’s mineral pools, then finish with a beachside massage in Bucerias. It feels less like a standard spa outing and more like a full day in rural Mexico with a very good lunch built in.

I like the personal touch of choosing fruit and vegetables for the grill, and I like how guides such as Antonio, Tony, and Jose Antonio handle the day as hosts rather than just drivers. The main drawback is the long, winding ride on rough roads near the springs. If you dislike extended van journeys, this may feel like a lot of travel for a few hours in the water.

Key Details Before You Book

• Mountain hot springs: Soak in naturally heated pools at Nuevo Ixtlan, with several temperatures available.
• A meal you help create: Buy local produce and meat before enjoying grilled chicken, beef, vegetables, guacamole, fruit, and fresh tortillas.
• A real countryside outing: The route passes farms, ranchland, small towns, and rural communities away from the Puerto Vallarta hotel zone.
• Beach massage finale: End the day with a one-hour full-body massage overlooking the ocean in Bucerias.
• Small-group format: The activity is advertised for a maximum of 12 people, though some departures are much smaller.
• Plan for a long day: The experience begins at 8:00 a.m. and lasts about eight hours, with a substantial amount of driving.

Why This Is More Than a Hot Springs Trip

You might book this expecting a few hours in warm water. That is only part of the day. The outing combines a countryside drive, a local food stop, a hot springs visit, a cooked lunch, and a massage.

That combination gives the day its value. A simple hot springs transfer would not explain the $165 price. Here, you are also paying for transportation, guiding, food, the mountain setting, and the massage at the end. Compared with arranging each piece separately, the price is reasonable if you want a full day with little planning.

The experience also gives you a look at a side of the Puerto Vallarta area that is easy to miss. The city is built around beaches, restaurants, and resorts, but the wider region includes working farms, tortilla makers, ranchland, and small towns. The drive is not just dead time if you enjoy hearing about local agriculture, Mexican history, and the plants and animals of the area.

Still, keep your expectations clear. This is not a quick spa afternoon. The road to Nuevo Ixtlan takes time, and the final section can be bumpy and unpaved. Some departures may include close to the stated maximum of 12 people, so the level of intimacy can vary.

8:00 a.m. Start at Sam’s Club

The stated meeting point is Sam’s Club at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880 in Puerto Vallarta. The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point, although some guides have also arranged hotel pickup and drop-off when possible.

The early start makes sense. Nuevo Ixtlan is well outside the city, and the activity includes several stops before and after the hot springs. Start with breakfast, bring water, and wear clothes that can handle a relaxed day outdoors.

The company uses a van for the drive. Some accounts describe a clean, comfortable vehicle, but the ride itself is still long. The paved road gives way to rougher sections as you approach the springs. Antonio and Jose Antonio are often praised for driving slowly and carefully, which matters on the winding final stretch.

If you get carsick, sit where the ride feels easiest and bring whatever normally helps you. This is one of the few practical drawbacks that can affect your enjoyment.

Fresh Produce, Small Towns, and Hot Tortillas

One of the most appealing parts of the morning is the stop to choose ingredients for lunch. The group visits a local market, with San Juan de Abajo mentioned as one of the stops, and selects fruit and vegetables for the meal.

This is a simple idea, but it changes the meal from a catered picnic into something connected to the area. You see what is available, help decide what will be served, and later recognize those ingredients on the grill and snack plates.

The route can also include a tortilla-making stop. Fresh tortillas come straight from the press or cooking area, and you may get to try one while it is still hot. That short stop adds real local flavor without turning the morning into a formal food tour.

The market and tortilla stop can vary in length depending on the group. If you are hoping to browse extensively, ask your guide how much time is available. The focus is on gathering food for lunch, not on a long shopping session.

Nuevo Ixtlan’s Mineral Pools

The hot springs are the day’s main attraction. Nuevo Ixtlan sits in a mountain setting with fresh air, greenery, and a quieter feel than Puerto Vallarta. The water is described as comfortably warm rather than painfully hot, and the site has several pools with different temperatures.

One account describes roughly 35 pools, though the exact number you use may depend on which areas are open. The key point is that you are not limited to one small tub. You can move between pools and find the temperature that suits you.

The springs are a good place to slow down. You can sit in the water, look toward the surrounding countryside, and let the drive become worthwhile. This is also the point where the group can sometimes adjust the pace. If everyone wants more soaking time, the guide may be able to stay longer within the day’s schedule.

Facilities include changing rooms and bathrooms. There is also a small convenience shop where you may be able to buy drinks. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a change of clothes. The tour information does not promise that every personal item will be provided, so packing your own basics is the sensible choice.

An optional mud treatment has been described as an inexpensive extra, around $4. Treat that as an add-on rather than part of the $165 price. If you want one, ask about the current cost before accepting it.

Fruit, Guacamole, Lemonade, and a Wood-Grilled Lunch

The food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing instead of a basic hot springs transfer. While you soak, the guide may bring fresh fruit selected earlier at the market, along with guacamole, chips, and homemade lemonade or limeade.

The timing works well. You can snack without leaving the pools, then dry off and sit down for the main meal. The grill commonly includes chicken and beef, plus vegetables such as corn, potatoes, broccoli, pineapple, chilies, and cactus salad. Fresh tortillas from the earlier stop round out the plate.

Antonio is often the person cooking, and his grilled meat and guacamole receive especially strong praise. The food is prepared during the visit rather than pulled from a box, and cooking over wood and charcoal gives the meal a smoky flavor.

You help select some of the produce, but this is not a build-your-own restaurant meal. The exact menu depends on what is available and what the group chooses at the market. If you have dietary restrictions, communicate them when booking or at the start of the day. The provided details do not promise a specific vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-safe menu.

The quantity also appears generous. Fresh fruit, chips, guacamole, tortillas, and the full grill spread make this a substantial lunch. You may want a light breakfast so you have room to enjoy it.

The Long Ride Back to Bucerias

After the springs and lunch, you return toward the coast. This is where the tour’s pacing becomes important. The outing lasts about eight hours, but the hot springs themselves may account for around two to three hours. The rest is transportation, food stops, and the massage.

The countryside drive is part of the attraction if you like watching rural life pass by. You may see agricultural areas, farms, ranchland, and small settlements. Antonio and Jose Antonio are known for explaining the area’s history, agriculture, plants, and local culture during the drive.

But the road time is real. One account described the trip as a very long winding drive, while another found the distance worthwhile because it offered a break from the city. Both reactions are fair. You should book this as an all-day road outing, not as a nearby excursion.

Bucerias provides a welcome change of pace. After the rougher mountain road and the hot springs, you return to the coast for the final treatment.

A One-Hour Massage Beside the Ocean

The day ends with a one-hour massage in Bucerias, often described as taking place on or beside the beach with an ocean view. For many people, this is the perfect final stop. You have already spent time in warm water, eaten a large lunch, and then get to lie down while listening to the sea.

The massage is described as full-body, with some people choosing a deeper pressure. If you need lighter pressure or have any areas that should be avoided, tell the massage therapist before beginning.

This is also why the itinerary feels carefully balanced. The hot springs offer a natural setting and a social experience, while the massage is quieter and more direct. You do not have to organize a separate spa appointment back in Puerto Vallarta.

Some departures include small finishing touches after the massage, such as chocolates, electrolytes, or a wine cooler. These extras are not part of the formal tour description, so consider them possible host-provided treats rather than guaranteed inclusions.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want:

• A full-day escape from Puerto Vallarta
• A mix of nature, food, culture, and relaxation
• A warm spring setting outside the main tourist areas
• A meal with local produce and fresh tortillas
• A guided day where someone else handles the driving and timing
• A massage included at the end rather than booked separately

It is especially well suited to couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a long day and uneven roads. The tone is social and relaxed, but the small-group size gives the guide room to adjust the pace.

You may want to choose another activity if you have limited mobility, trouble walking, or a strong dislike of bumpy van rides. The tour specifically calls for a moderate level of physical fitness and is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving around easily.

It is also not the right choice if you want a short, polished resort spa day. The charm comes from the rough edges: the market, the rural roads, the local food stops, and the distance from the city.

Is $165 a Fair Price?

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Puerto Vallarta. It is also not just a transportation ticket. The price includes a guided outing of roughly eight hours, a van ride into the countryside, hot springs access, snacks, a cooked lunch, and a one-hour massage.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a massage and arrange a private trip to the springs. You also avoid the hassle of finding the site, navigating the mountain roads, buying ingredients, and organizing lunch.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want a few hours in hot water. In that case, the long drive takes up a large part of your day. The best way to judge it is to count the whole experience, not just the soaking time.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking window of about 31 days. That suggests planning ahead during busy periods. Mobile tickets are accepted, and the activity is offered in English.

Practical Details That Matter

You receive confirmation when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the activity depends on good weather, a weather cancellation should result in a different date or a full refund.

Wear a swimsuit under easy-to-change clothes. Bring a towel unless your booking confirmation says one is provided, along with sunscreen, insect protection, water, and a little cash for drinks or optional extras.

The tour is advertised in English. The group limit is listed as 12 people, while the description also presents it as a small group of about 10 or fewer. Ask about the expected group size if that matters to you.

Most important, leave room in your schedule. With an 8:00 a.m. start, a long mountain drive, a full lunch, and a beach massage, this is your main activity for the day.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want to trade Puerto Vallarta’s resort routine for mountain air, mineral pools, market food, and a coastal massage. The strongest parts are the warm springs, Antonio’s cooking and hospitality, the fresh tortillas and produce, and the thoughtful finish in Bucerias.

Skip it if you need a short outing, dislike winding roads, or have mobility limits. For everyone else, the $165 price makes sense as payment for a complete day rather than a single attraction. I would schedule it early in your trip if you want a broad introduction to the region, or near the end if you want one last slow, relaxing day before heading home.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The stated meeting point is Sam’s Club at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

What time does the activity start?

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What is included at the hot springs?

You visit the mineral pools at Nuevo Ixtlan and have time to relax in the warm water. Changing rooms and bathrooms are available at the site.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The guide takes the group to buy ingredients and prepares a Mexican grill meal with items such as chicken, beef, vegetables, guacamole, fruit, and fresh tortillas.

Is the massage included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a one-hour massage in Bucerias with a beach or ocean view.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 12 people. It is also described as a small-group experience, and some departures may have fewer participants.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, and the activity is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving around easily.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.